Also known as the feather-footed jerboa, rough-legged jerboa and northern three-toed jerboa, the hairy-footed jerboa was first discovered in 1773. Its body ranges in length from 4.5 to 6 inches (11.5 to 14.5 centimetres), while its tail is typically 7 to 7.1 inches (17.5 to 18 centimetres) long. These mammals weigh between 2.4 and 4 ounces (69 to 104 grams). Underparts are white, and upperparts change from orangy and black in the winter to pale, sandy buff colour in summer.